SEOUL: At the end of last month, heavy rains raised the level of the Yalu River, causing widespread flooding in the Sinuiju area of North Korea’s Pyeonganbuk-do province. The floods submerged entire neighborhoods, with images of vehicles fully underwater and helicopters rescuing citizens highlighting the severity of the situation.
North Korea’s state-run newspaper reported that Kim Jong-un declared an “emergency” and personally visited the flood-stricken area to oversee rescue operations. This marks the first time the North Korean leader has visited a disaster site during the actual event, with his previous visit to flood-hit Hwanghaebuk-do in August 2020 occurring after the floods had subsided.
While Kim’s visit might be seen as a gesture of concern for the people, critics argue that it only underscores his failure to prevent such disasters. Chung Eui-sung, Director of the World Institute for North Korea Studies described the repeated flooding as a “man-made disaster caused by Kim Jong-un.”
Chung pointed out that North Korea’s annual measures to prevent flood damage, such as tree planting for forest and water conservation, are unrealistic given the country’s chronic fuel shortages, which leave residents without adequate heating. He also highlighted the longstanding practice of deforestation to create terraced fields for military rice production, which has exacerbated the risk of landslides and floods.
“Kim Jong-un’s visit to the flood-stricken area was more about optics than action,” Chung said. “It was a show to present himself as a benevolent leader, but it was a ‘silly move’ that has only fueled resentment among residents.”
Chung also criticized the regime’s skewed priorities, noting that while North Korea invests heavily in nuclear weapons and missile development, it neglects infrastructure improvements that could mitigate flood damage. “If even half of the military budget were allocated to the economy, not only could flood damage be minimized, but it could be prevented entirely,” he said.
The recurring nature of these floods, along with poor construction and inadequate drainage systems, leaves North Koreans in constant fear during the rainy season. As Chung remarked, “The flood damage in North Korea is not a natural disaster, but a ‘man-made disaster caused by Kim Jong-un.'”
North Korea’s flood problems persist, with critics pointing to Kim Jong-un’s mismanagement and misplaced priorities as the root cause.
